CITY OF SAN FERNANDO — Renato Romero, the private sector representative in the Regional Development Council (RDC) in Central Luzon, has called on Transportation Secretary Arthur Tugade to fast-track the completion of two major rail projects in the region.
The Subic-Clark Railway Project (SCRP) and Malolos-Clark Railway Project (MCRP) are both “very essential infrastructure for the further development of our region and northern regions,” said Romero who advocates infrastructure development programs in the RDC.
He said the Department of Public Works and Highways should continue the timely implementation of the Capas-Botolan Road in Tarlac and Zambales provinces as well as the Baler-Nueva Ecija-Tarlac Expressway that will connect these areas to the Central Luzon Link Expressway (CLLEX) and Subic-Clark Tarlac Expressway (SCTEX).
“We need more access to complement our rebuilding the economy when this [COVID-19] pandemic will subside,” he told PNN.
According to Romero, the Clark Freeport in Pampanga and Tarlac provinces and Subic Bay Freeport in Zambales and Bataan provinces have shown resiliency during the pandemic.
“Thus, we see the demand for more infrastructure to support the movement of people and logistics,” said Romero, who also serves as a director of the Pampanga Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
The SCRP is a 71-km cargo railway beside the SCTEX. Construction for it has not begun, with Tugade ordering the alignment to be revised in order to protect mangroves inside the Subic Bay Freeport.
The MCRP is a 51-km modern rail, which is Phase 2 of the PNR Clark that is part of the North South Commuters Railway. It uses the right-of-way of the old train system. Tugade reported the civil works to be more than 30 percent.
“For us in the business sector, we appreciate any effort from the national government to develop support infrastructure for businesses and industries. The more options we have, the better. These railway projects will not only improve connectivity, but they will definitely spur new economic activities in North and Central Luzon as well,” he said in a statement.
